Child Care Program Office

Information for Parents: PASS III Child Care Assistance Eligibility

You may be eligible for assistance from the PASS III Child Care Assistance Program to help pay child care costs while you work or participate in an education or training program. If eligible, you can receive child care assistance for children who are under the age of 13, or up to the age of 19 if your child has a developmental disability.

Eligibility is also based on your family size and your gross income (before taxes).

Contribution

Depending on your family’s monthly income, you may be responsible to contribute toward your child care costs. The contribution is the amount you are required toward your child care costs each month regardless of how many children are in care or the number of hours they are in care.

However, you will still be responsible for any costs your child care provider charges over the state rate, or for any care used outside of authorized timeframes.

Child Care Hours

The number of child care hours covered each month is determined by your schedule of eligible activities combined with your need for child care. An authorization will be issued covering the timeframe for which your family is eligible. You will be responsible for any child care costs your provider charges over the state rate or for any care used outside of authorized timeframes.

How to Apply

To apply for PASS III child care assistance, you must submit an application to a local Child Care Assistance office.

If you are eligible for child care assistance, you will be issued an authorization for up to six months. In most cases, you will be required to update your information every six months.

PASS III Payments

If you choose to have a child care provider care for your children in your own home, you are considered their employer. Contact your local Child Care Assistance office to learn more about the requirements of in-home care to determine if it is right for you.

Child Care Assistance may also offer a supplement to child care providers who care for children with special needs. Please contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral agency for information on the special needs supplement.